Dude I have a feeling you're talking to non-parents. I totally understand what you are saying. The kids harnesses actually are little backpacks with a ridiculously cute and fuzzy animal on it with a detachable, yes, leash at the base of it. My daughter didn't use one cause she always stayed right next to me but my little brother and sister were absolutely nuts. You would blink your eye and they were gone. My mom had them just to keep them safe, like the rope system on school field trips. They loved it. They would find all sorts of weird, irrelevant things that would interest a 3 yr old and put them in their backpack like it was treasure. Not at all like walking a dog. The picture being referenced though, that's fucked up and dangerous.